Despite scorching heat, she preferred to walk the distance of some 500 meter between the two buildings, instead taking a car, left staff and visitors surprised.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel on her first day at office on Friday cleared 88 pending files including that related to farmers’ accidental death insurance cover and Chief Minister Relief Fund.

In all she cleared fund to the tune of Rs 77 lakh before directly giving instructions to concerned district authorities in 10 cases of peoples grievances through State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application (SWAGAT) of Technology online.

At around 3.30 pm, Patel crossed over to SWAGAT headquarters on ground floor of block number 1 from CMO in Swarnim Sankul-I within Sardar Patel Secretariat in Gandhinagar to chair SWAGAT. It is a monthly programme that facilitates direct conversation between complainants and the CM through video conference, keeping collectors and district development officers in loop to ensure immediate solution.

It is being held on every third Thursday of the month. But due to the Patel government swearing-in ceremony on May 22, it was held on Friday this time. Despite scorching heat, she preferred to walk the distance of some 500 meter between the two buildings, instead taking a car, left staff and visitors surprised.

“SWAGAT is on the top of priorities for the CMO. As it could not be held on Thursday, it was held today,” said a source, adding, “10 cases were addressed on Friday. The new CM gave necessary instructions to concerned collectors to clear complaints.”

Sources in the CMO also said that the files related to farmers’ accidental death insurance cover and Chief Minister Relief Fund were cleared, which were pending due to code of conduct in the effect during election time.

“In all total 77 files of insurance cover, each amounting to Rs 1 lakh were cleared,” said an official adding, “Beside, fund amounting to Rs 11 lakh concerning multiple files under Chief Minister Relief Fund was released,” an official said.

Amid large number of visitors on the third floor, where the CMO is located, the staff was seen putting her name plate by replacing it with that of her predecessor and Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.